For 241 Years Navy personnel have been identified by their Job specialty, known as a "Rating". The oldest rates such as Boatswain Mates, and Gunners Mate predate the founding of this country. Being known by your job title was a sense of pride. A sign of accomplishment. The Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations just senselessly erased this tradition. One only has to visit Navy social media pages to see the disgust and outrage of current and former personnel. One by one current leadership continues to erode the very things that set the Navy apart from the other services. Mr. President, I and the others signing this petition request you use your authority to restore to our Sailors what they have earned.
Response to Petition
A response to your petition on restoring traditional Navy rating specialty titles
Thank you for adding your name to this We the People petition and for
your concern regarding the men and women who serve in the United States
Navy. The Navy's recent announcement about Navy Occupational Specialties
has garnered attention from many veterans and supporters like you who
cherish naval tradition.
This new classification system, which was produced by a comprehensive
review led by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and his senior
enlisted leadership, moves toward occupational specialties titles
similar to the other armed services. Modernizing this system provides
many benefits within the Navy, such as increased flexibility in training
and assignments. It also affords our Sailors opportunities when
transitioning to the civilian workforce by aligning their specialties
with civilian occupations.
This Administration believes that providing widely-recognized credentials
will improve service members' chances of success in the private sector.
Improving hiring opportunities for veterans remains a high priority for
this Administration, embodied in efforts such as the First Lady and Dr.
Biden's "Joining Forces" initiative.
Organizational changes that require a cultural shift can cause friction
during transition periods, but the President has confidence in the
decisions made by U.S. Navy leaders and agrees that the benefits in future years
will outweigh growing pains in the next several months. Whether one's
Navy career occurred under the former rating structure or today's
modernized system, the President maintains his steadfast pride in Sailors
who have sacrificed and worked hard to serve with distinction.